Schwierigkeit

Schwierigkeit is a German noun meaning the state or quality of being difficult; a challenge or problem. It can denote a task that is hard to perform, a situation with obstacles, or a trouble that complicates progress. The term can refer to concrete obstacles (a malfunction, a blocked road) or abstract ones (a procedural hurdle, a linguistic ambiguity).

Word formation: Schwierigkeit is formed from the adjective schwierig ("difficult") with the abstract-noun suffix -keit, yielding Schwierigkeit and the plural Schwierigkeiten. The plural is used when speaking about multiple problems or obstacles.

Usage: In everyday speech, one speaks of eine Schwierigkeit or hat Schwierigkeiten. In formal or technical contexts, Schwierigkeit can describe the level of challenge, as in der Schwierigkeitsgrad eines Problems (more commonly sprachlich: der Schwierigkeitsgrad einer Aufgabe) or Schwierigkeiten bei der Umsetzung. In mathematics, science or engineering, a Schwierigkeit can refer to a specific problem or obstacle that must be overcome. The phrase Schwierigkeiten bereiten means to cause trouble or pose difficulties.

Synonyms and related terms include Problem, Hindernis, Hürde, Komplexität, und Herausforderung. The word is generally neutral, though it can carry a sense of impediment depending on context. In translations, Schwierigkeit corresponds to English difficulty or problem, and similar terms exist in many languages to express a challenge or obstacle.